Learn the fundamentals of managing space around your vehicle to pass a road test, regardless of class - watch the video.

Closed Caption

Introduction

Hi there Smart Drivers. Rick, with Smart Drive Test, talking to you today about: Space management. This the is video #17 in the VEDA, Video Every Day (in) April, series. Stick around, we'll be right back with that information.

[INTRODUCTION & MUSIC]

Hi there Smart Drivers, welcome back, talking to you today about: Space Management, one of the four vital components in passing a road test, regardless of class, regardless of where you are in the world.

The four components of a road test are:

1) Speed Management;

2) Space Management;

3) Observation;

4) Communication.

And we're talking to you today about Space Management. Now, if you're new to Smart Drive Test, Smart Drive Test helps new drivers get a license, veteran drivers to remain crash free, and CDL drivers to start a career as a truck or bus driver. So, if you're new here, be sure to hit that subscribe button. As well, hit that bell, that way you'll get instant notification of when I get the videos up for you.

Social Driving

Space management, like speed management - everything in social driving tells you that you need to be closer to other vehicles, other fixed objects, and other road users, than what you should be for the purposes of the road test. If you follow the example of all other drivers on the roadway, you are not going to be successful on a road test.

Where to Stop In Traffic

First thing you need to do when you stop behind other traffic, at traffic lights and intersections, you need to be able to see the tires, of the vehicle in front of you, making clear contact with the pavement. That leaves about one vehicle length between you and the vehicle in front of you. And that is an absolute for a road test, that you have to have that space between you and other vehicles.

Stopping at Intersections

When you stop at intersections you either need to stop at the stop line, before the crosswalk line, if there's no crosswalk line, the side walk, or you have to stop at the edge of where the two roads meet, if it's a stop signed intersection. So, that's where you need to stop.

Following Distance Under Ideal Driving Conditions

And then finally, the other component of space management is your following distance has to be 2 to 3 seconds, in a passenger vehicle, if you get into bigger vehicles it needs to be more than that. Now, how you determine 2 to 3 seconds in a passenger vehicle is your following the vehicle in front, the vehicle in front goes past a fixed object, when that vehicle goes past a fixed object you start counting, "One watermelon," "two watermelon", "three watermelon." When you get to two watermelons, you should be going past that fixed object, that means that you are following at a two second following distance.

And the reason that we measure in time, is because time is relative, and the faster you go, the greater that distance increases, and thus the reason for measuring following distance in time.

I'm Rick, with Smart Drive Test. For another great video, click here. To subscribe, click here. Good luck on your road test. And remember: Pick the best answer, not necessarily the right answer. Have a great day! Bye now.